Articles Advances in Developing Human Resources 12(1) 7–28 © 2010 SAGE Publications Reprints and permission: http://www. sagepub.com/journalsPermissions.nav DOI: 10.1177/1523422310365309 http://adhr.sagepub.com Integrated Theoretical Model for Building Effective Teams Jerry W. Gilley 1 , M. Lane Morris 2 , Alina M. Waite 1 , Tabitha Coates 1 , and Abigail Veliquette 1 Abstract The purpose of this article is to construct an integrated theoretical model for building effective teams based on a literature review guided by several research questions on all aspects of teams, team building, team member selection, team development, and theoretical constructs that affect the development of effective teams. The principal outcome of this article is a relationship model that is grounded in the teams, teamwork, and team building literature and based on several theoretical frameworks. This rigorous model may be applied consistently among human resource development (HRD) practitioners and scholars to assist them in building effective teams. Keywords change curve, community of practice, group potency, lean, organizational ambidexterity, scenario planning, synergistic relationship theory, team building, teamwork, temperament theory Organizations have been examining ways of developing and improving teams for more than 50 years (Gibson, Ivancevich, Donnelly, & Konopaske, 2009). Hackman (2002) suggested that the use of teams has become an ever-increasing popular work design in all types of organizations, both nationally and internationally. Research has demonstrated that when organizations use teams appropriately, they develop a practical 1 Colorado State University, Fort Collins 2 University of Tennessee, Knoxville Author Note: This article was subjected to a two-tier blind review process that did not involve any of the contributing authors who are currently members of the editorial board. Corresponding Author: Tabitha Coates, 3945 Landings Drive Unit H6, Fort Collins, CO 80525 Email: Tabitha.Coates@gmail.com